Islamabad, Sep 23: Patients are suffering greatly from the recent application of an 18% General Sales Tax (GST) on a large number of medications. Many have had to dramatically cut back on their pharmaceutical purchases as a result of this unanticipated spike, frequently buying only enough for a day or two as opposed to stockpiling for longer periods of time.
Due to the new GST, Lahore pharmacy proprietors have noticed a dramatic increase in the cost of necessities such as skin treatments, multivitamins, calcium supplements, milk powder, sugar strips, and herbal cures. Patients had previously bought these medications in bigger amounts, but the recent price hike has forced them to change their shopping habits.
Noor Mehr, President of the Drug Lawyers Forum, vehemently objected to the government’s plan to apply GST on food supplements, vitamins, and herbal and homeopathic remedies. He called this action unfair and encouraged the administration to think twice before making its choice. Mehr contended that medications ought to be free from taxes under the Drug Act.Patients are still having a difficult time paying for their medications, so many are pleading with the government to act quickly to ease their financial burden.
